Irish Soda Bread - Learn to make this traditional Irish bread without yeast in under an hour! Made with a handful of baking staples and buttermilk, this biscuit-like bread is easy perfect for St Patrick’s Day and beyond!
Irish soda bread is a traditional Irish, no yeast bread made with simple ingredients in under an hour! What sets it apart is the use of buttermilk, which gives it a rich, tangy flavor, perfect for dunking in Instant Pot beef and barley soup and Guinness beef stew or slathering with butter and honey!
This easy Irish soda bread with buttermilk is slightly dense with an outer crust (almost like a biscuit), and the crumb on the inside is nice and moist. You can make yours plain or add raisins or chocolate chips if you’d like.
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Why You’ll Love This Homemade Bread Recipe
- It’s a rustic and cozy loaf of bread perfect on the side of St Patrick’s day corned beef!
- No proofing the yeast or kneading the dough, which makes it super easy.
- Nothing better than freshly baked bread in a matter of minutes!
- You’ll love the exceptional flavor and texture of this quick bread.
Cooking Tips
- Make sure your baking powder and baking soda are still fresh and the baking soda is still active.
- It should bubble in hot water.
- Do not overmix the dough. Just mix until combined or until the dry ingredients are wet, otherwise the loaf will be too tough.
- If using a loaf pan, make sure to grease it very well! If using a baking tray, don’t forget the parchment paper.
- Add raisins, cranberries, or other dried fruit into the batter for something a little extra.
- Freeze the loaf once it has completely cooled. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature and then warm it in the oven for a toastie loaf!
Ingredients for Irish Bread Without Yeast
- All-purpose flour: It’s always important to measure your flour correctly so you’re getting the right amount of flour into your dough and not too much! Use the spoon and level method if you don’t have a kitchen scale.
- Sugar: This bread is not a sweet bread, but the sugar gives it a flavor balance.
- Baking soda and baking powder: Along with the acid in the buttermilk, these leavening agents help the dough to rise without yeast.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors.
- Buttermilk: You can use store-bought buttermilk or make a substitute if you don’t have any on hand.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients together so the dough doesn’t fall apart.
- Melted butter: The fat needed! Melt the butter and allow it to cool slightly.
See the recipe card for the full information on recipe ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Homemade Irish Soda Bread
Step 1: Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter until fully combined.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just incorporated. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
Step 4: Spoon the batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your hands to form it into a loaf-shaped mound. It should be about 6-7 inches in diameter.
Step 5: Use a sharp knife to score a large X into the top, about ½” deep. This is to give the crust a chance to expand as the bread bakes and more surface area to build a crust.
Step 6: Bake the loaf in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for about 25–30 minutes. Once it is golden on top and baked through, place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Elevating it as it cools will prevent the bottom from becoming soggy. Enjoy!
How to Make a Buttermilk Substitute
- Make a buttermilk substitute with either 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (not both).
- Add that to a 1 cup measuring cup and fill the rest of the cup to the brim with whatever milk you have on hand.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes until it curdles.
Recipe FAQs
Originally, Irish soda bread was made without butter, eggs, or even sugar! However, since then the recipe has changed where people add one or all of these ingredients, and it is still considered traditional.
We love it freshly baked or lightly toasted, slathered in butter and honey for breakfast.
As well, we’ll have a hunk of it on the side of beef stew with sweet potatoes and mushroom leek soup. On St. Patrick’s Day, we serve it with corned beef or shepherd’s pie.
It is very similar to a biscuit or scone. It’s tangy with a bite to it. The crumb is soft yet dense, and the crust is, well, crusty!
More Bread Recipes You’ll Love
- Sourdough Bread Recipe with Starter
- Pita Bread Recipe
- No Knead Bread Recipe
- Sweet Braided Easter Bread Recipe
- Same Day Sourdough Focaccia Bread
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📖 Recipe
Irish Soda Bread Without Yeast
Equipment
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt or to taste
Wet Ingredients
- ⅔ cup buttermilk whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Grab a bowl and mix together all the dry ingredients until they’re well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients until they’re all nicely blended together.
- Now, pour wet mixture into your bowl of dry ingredients. Gently stir until everything is combined & moistened. You want the batter to be thick and a bit sticky.
- Next, take spoonfuls of the batter and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, forming a nice mound that's about 6 to 7 inches in diameter.
- Use a sharp knife to score a big “X” on top of your batter, about ½ inch deep. This helps it bake beautifully!
- Pop it into your preheated oven and let it bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This should take around 25 to 30 minutes.
- Once it’s done, carefully transfer your round loaf to a wire rack and let it cool completely before digging in. Enjoy every bite with softened butter!
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients. Ensure your baking soda is fresh; it’s crucial for the bread’s rise. Old baking soda may not activate properly, resulting in a dense loaf.
- Don’t overmix. Mix the ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough bread. The dough should be slightly sticky when you finish mixing.
- Add mix-ins. Consider adding raisins, currants, or caraway seeds for extra flavor. If using dried fruits, toss them in a bit of flour to prevent them from sinking in the dough.
- Cool properly. Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack, which prevents the bottom from getting soggy and helps maintain its crusty texture.
Nutrition
Happy baking!
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